Shahid Afridi bids farewell to relegation-haunted Foxes

Leicestershire's whirlwind all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who has taken the country by storm since arriving at Grace Road in July, has returned to Pakistan.

It is a major blow for Leicestershire who go into their final CricInfo Championship game of the season against Gloucestershire not yet safe from relegation. It leaves Carl Crowe to fill the yawning gap left by Afridi's departure.

Vince Wells' side are also without all-rounder Phil DeFreitas as they return to Championship cricket after a disappointing one-day run that included defeat in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy final against Somerset.

The Foxes have also stuttered in their bid to wrap up the Norwich Union League First Division title, not helped by the weather.

Wells said: "Unfortunately we are the sacrificial lambs in being the first to play our last game and not playing in the final round.

"We have been involved in a lot of one-day stuff and we need to turn our minds back to four-day cricket but the boys are very much up for it."

Jon Dakin is fit to return and Devon Malcolm, who has taken 62 first-class wickets this season, will lead the attack. Youngster Matt Whiley could be included in the squad.

Meanwhile, Glamorgan, who are at full strength, are deep in relegation trouble and are desperate for victory and another good result in their last game against Surrey.

Glamorgan are second bottom going into the game and are looking to bounce back after having their Norwich Union League Second Division title hopes dented by Sussex.

Coach Jeff Hammond said: "We're taking four seamers, two spinners and six batsmen up to Leicester. The final team will depend on the pitch.

"We've got two games we need to win or at least do very well in. This is a vital game. We are still smarting from our defeat by Sussex and we are looking to take it out on Leicestershire.

"We didn't play as well as we would have liked but we need to hit back."